This article references dialogues with friends and family, not new pet parents purchasing a puppy from you. Potential pet parents need to be asked specific questions about the care of their puppy, but the best person to ask those questions is the breeder.
Written By: Shelley Wenger
People of all ages love puppies, and it can be exciting when someone that you love decides to bring one into his or her life. You may be thrilled for them, but there are times when you may open your mouth and say something that you shouldn’t. Many people try to say the right thing, and they only hurt their loved ones feelings.
Don’t want to do the same thing? Here are eight things that you should never tell a new puppy parent.
1. Aren’t you too old to get a puppy?
If your loved one or friends have recently lost their dog, they may be looking at a new puppy. This is a big commitment, and they should know it already, which is why you should keep your comments to yourself.
As your friends and family members age, they know that it is going to be harder to get up at night to take their new puppy out to go to the bathroom. Potty training and training a new puppy in general can be a lot of work, and you may not feel like they are up to it, but you don’t need to let them know how you feel about it! You also should never tell someone that they might outlive their new puppy. I am sure, if they are that age, they have already taken that into consideration.
2. I guess you aren’t going to have kids.
On the other side of the spectrum, you may have some newly married friends and family members who are looking at getting their first puppy together. This doesn’t give you the right to tell them that they can’t do both!
You also should never make comments about children. You don’t know if the couple has decided that they don’t want children. They may also be struggling with infertility, which only makes these comments that much worse!
3. You look absolutely exhausted.
Just like with new parents, you should never make comments about how someone looks. Getting up several times a night can be hard on a person, no matter what their age is. No only that, but chasing after a rambunctious puppy can be a lot of work. Though your friends and loved ones may be used to spending their evenings on the couch relaxing, now they may be running around trying to keep the new puppy from chewing on something that he or she shouldn’t be.
4. Why did you get a puppy when you could have rescued a pet who needed a home?
Though there are many dogs (and puppies) out there who need a good home, there is absolutely nothing wrong with deciding to go with a puppy instead of a rescued animal. They may be looking for certain qualities and know that the best way to get them is by buying a specific breed. Also, they may want to make sure that the dog that they get is properly socialized and trained the way that they want it to be.
5. You adopted a puppy?
How do you know what breed he or she really is? Adopting a puppy can be a great way to save a life, and your friend or family member is still getting a puppy that they can train the way that they want.
That being said, nobody may really know what breed they are getting. Sometimes, puppies are found with the mother, so you at least have some idea what they are, while others are found by themselves and the truth is a mystery. It can also be very hard to figure out breeds when the puppies are small. It can take a few months or a year to really see what breed the new puppy is.
6. Are you sure that you got the right breed?
Most people do a lot of research before they decide to purchase a puppy in a specific breed, so you coming around and telling them that they didn’t pick correctly can be quite offensive!
You may be worried that they chose a dog that is more aggressive than others. You may be concerned that they bought a herding dog when they live in an apartment. Your thoughts may be warranted, but you just really need to keep them to yourself! They are probably tickled with their new puppy and just can’t wait to show it off!
7. Just leave your puppy alone for a few hours, he or she will be fine.
If you do not own any pets, you may not realize how hard it can be to leave your precious new baby home alone! If your friends and family members would prefer to spend their free time at home with their new puppy, why can’t they?
8. All of this stuff is a waste of money.
Many puppy parents want to spoil their new puppies. They buy the essentials (dog beds, blankets, and bowls), but they also decide to go a bit overboard on toys and treats. Why does it matter how much they spend on their new puppy, as long as it brings them joy?
When a friend or loved one brings you their new puppy to show off, you need to be as excited as they are.
You shouldn’t worry about whether they can handle a puppy. You also shouldn’t worry about whether this means that they are going to have children. You should just keep your mouth shut, even if you are worried that they chose the wrong breed, or they might not even know what they are getting into, because the puppy was found without his or her mother.
Just smile and coo over the new precious baby in their life.
Shelley Wenger is a certified veterinary technician and has been helping animals have better lives for many years. She is also a dedicated writer, and can be found on Medium and Newsbreak. She is also happy to help others with their blogs and other writing projects.
She has just started a new venture in designing t-shirts, mugs, totes, and other gifts. You can check out her Zazzle store Designs by Shelley. Many of her designs share her love of dogs, cats, and farm animals. She has also designed other pieces for moms, grandparents, and plenty of baby gifts! When she isn’t working, writing, or designing, she is spending time with her husband and two sons on their hobby farm, with their faithful Border Collie Rosie by their side. They raise chickens, ducks, rabbits, and goats. And no farm is complete without a cat named Jumper.
When it comes to dog training, the well-worn phrase “Timing is everything” is especially true. If two dogs were DNA clones, had identical environmental exposures, and were trained by two separate owners who taught with the same training program, one of the dogs would most likely be better than the other. The reason would be based on th
My name is Hannah, and I grew up in Dornsife Pennsylvania. I have been involved in the dog breeding industry since 2016! The breeds I raise are AKC Miniature Poodles, AKC Miniature Schnauzers, and Cockapoos. As the owner of Fetch Photography, I offer general advertising and photography services specializing in puppies to areas in Northumberland, Dauphin, and Schuylkill County PA! I list puppies on all major puppy websites, including Greenfield Puppies, Lancaster Puppies, Infinity Pups, Puppies.com, and AKC Marketplace. Listing puppies for breeders outside my area is possible if breeders can provide their own photos. In 2020 I began offering canine genetic testing and genetic counseling for breeders in all areas even if you are located outside Pennsylvania! In 2022 I married my husband Scotty, and my name changed from Hannah Schaible to Hannah Day. If you have questions about this article or my services, feel free to contact me! Hannah Day: 570-809-3335 or [email protected]
Welcome back to the travels and
adventures of Gail Mirabella & The
Dynamo Dogs! Let’s start off the
New Year with one of our most
recent trips and performances, The
National Dog Show
